Satveer thought Drew seemed nice. Nice. Most people seem nice. Unless they were obviously not, in which case they were not nice. Was Satveer seen as Nice? Was Drew’s first impression of him, that he was nice? Satveer was hoping for something more than nice. But at that moment, he felt like he most closely resembled his Bebbe’s Flutterby bush than that of the confident young adult he was brought up to portray. One thing was certain, the joke helped. They always did.

Satveer was used to meeting new people, so why was this difficult? Anyhow, It didn’t matter now, as his father said, a first impression cannot be remade. Drew approached the table and started gathering food on his plate, Satveer concluded he was, as ever, overthinking the matter. Drew seemed cool (not just nice), and Drew saw him as nice. If a little out of place.

Satveer approached the table, his stomach quickly reminding him that if he didn’t eat that instant he would waste away to nothing. In an effort to appease the hunger, he plucked a single grape and slid it between his lips. Stomach quietened, Satveer could now make the important decision. Which cookies to choose.

A decent cookie, as far as Satveer was concerned, had to have equal parts chocolate and fluff. Too much chocolate and the fluffiness is compromised. It becomes almost soggy. Too little fluffiness, then the texture is too firm and the chocolate is burnt. The perfect cookie is both solid, but flexible. Moist yet firm. The perfect cookie can be dunked in a glass of milk (never double dip!) and nibbled.

Having selected two cookies that he considered acceptable, Satveer then chose one of the smaller red grape vines and placed it on his plate. He wasn’t so picky about his grapes, but he preferred them to come directly off the vine. For some reason, he didn’t like eating loose grapes. Satveer then got some milk and left the table. As he made his way towards where Drew was sitting, he narrowly avoided the red headed girl pulling a boy by the wrist toward the table. Satveer smiled, and tilted his head at them both as to gesture a greeting, chucking to himself as they passed.

Satveer arrived at the table where Drew was sitting and sat facing the room, adjacent to Drew. This was a well used tactful move on Satveer’s part. From this position Satveer could not only hold a conversation with Drew, but he could observe the room and use it as a conversation piece should he and Drew not find anything to talk about. It also had the advantage in that allowed others to sit at their table and join in.

“So what did you like about the tour?”

Satveer thought carefully about his response. He was used to moving about, not settling down. This was the first time he’d imagined being in anyone place for more than a year. “Honestly, I love all of it!” he said slowly moving a cookie towards his mouth. “My family moved a lot when I was growing up, and I never... “ he paused. “The tour was awesome! I really hope I get to come here” he continued. “I love the Practical Lab! I’ve never seen a room like that, not even at Babba and Bebbe’s house. It’s all so exciting” he squeaked, very aware that his voice was getting higher with excitement.

In an effort to gain his composure, Satveer cleared his throat and took a sip of his milk. “which house would you like to join, if you come here?” he questioned Drew as he took a bite from his lingering cookie.

The other boy apparently got his own name wrong on the first try, so that was… something. Sam, though. Drew had been expecting a less American name. Well, zero points for making assumptions, he... more

Drew was surprised(ish) that Sam’s favorite place in the whole school so far was a classroom . Had he been paying attention when they toured the theater? Or the Quidditch Pitch? Or the Rec Center ?... more

Satveer ate his cookie as Drew talked about the Rec Centre. It was apparent that Drew was a little taken a back over Satveer’s declaration of love for the Practical Lab. As Drew tailed off and the... more

Ohhhh Merlin I really should have opted out of this tour. Dang it, Kit. Drew had really, really thought the conversation was going fine. Sam was a little odd but they were making normal small talk... more

Sam knew the hole he had dug for himself was as deep as it was wide. He was greatly relieved when Drew continued the conversation. Especially when he stated that Satveer would make friends within the ... more

‘I have a last name’ was not really the kind of fun fact Drew had been going for, but Sam wasn’t crying so he decided to let it slide. Drew was not much of a tea-drinker but, he thought, he’d be... more

As Satveer listened to Drews detailing his relationship with the red headed, he couldn’t help but smile. ‘She’s my best friend’ . How lovely, he thought. Drew’s father must be a loving man to have... more